Tag: Drew Dileo

Video: Hoke, Denard, Smith, Campbell, Gordon, Omameh, Dileo postgame

2012 Season Countdown: #36 Drew Dileo

Drew Dileo

Name: Drew Dileo
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 172 lbs.
High school: Greenwell Springs (LA) Parkview Baptist
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #9
Last year: I ranked Dileo #21 and said he would return kickoffs and punts, as well as catch 15 passes.  He was the starting holder, completed 1/1 passes for 11 yards, rushed 2 times for 7 yards, caught 9 passes for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns, and returned 1 punt for 0 yards.

I probably ranked Dileo a little too high last year, because I figured he would have done more in the return game.  He was the holder on the extra point/field goal unit and did haul in nine receptions, so he was a valuable player, but kind of in a jack-of-all-trades way.  He can do lots of things for a team, but he’s not the fastest or most athletic guy around.

This year’s ranking at #36 is sort of a reflection of what he did last year, since it seems some of his skills would be somewhat easily replaceable.  One guy might not be able to hold, catch passes, and return an occasional punt, but there are a few guys who could probably do each of those jobs.  Dileo is a good complementary player, and with three seniors having departed, he could see more passes come his way.  It will be interesting to see how much time he gets in the return game now that incumbent punt returner Jeremy Gallon will presumably start at split end.  If the coaches don’t want to risk Gallon getting dinged or tired, Dileo might get a chance to return punts once again.  He’s a sure-handed good decision maker, so he seems like a safe choice, albeit unlikely to explode for many big returns.

Prediction: Holder, backup wide receiver, occasional returner; 12 receptions for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns

Wide Receiver Preview: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

Jarrett Boykin (#81)

MICHIGAN
Starters: The leading receiver is fifth year senior Junior Hemingway, who has caught 32 passes for 636 yards (19.9 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns.  Redshirt junior Roy Roundtree started all 12 games but finished fourth on the team in receptions, with just 18 for 342 yards (19.2 yards per catch) and 2 scores. 
Backups: Redshirt sophomore Jeremy Gallon popped out of nowhere to grab 30 passes for 450 yards (15.0 yards per catch) and 3 touchdowns; many of his receptions came on tunnel screens, although he made a few big catches downfield.  Sophomore Drew Dileo made 9 receptions for 121 yards (13.2 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns; he’s a dependable receiver but rarely targeted.  Senior Martavious Odoms’ production dwindled once again to 7 receptions for 131 yards (18.7 yards per catch) and 3 touchdowns; he missed some time early in the year recovering from a broken wrist, but has still made some humongous catches for the Wolverines.  Fifth year senior Kelvin Grady and sophomore Jeremy Jackson have combined for 7 catches, 100 yards, and 0 touchdowns.

VIRGINIA TECH
Starters: Senior Jarrett Boykin caught 57 passes for 731 yards (12.8 yards per catch) and 5 touchdowns.  Boykin is 6’2″, 218 lbs. and is Virginia Tech’s career leader in receptions and receiving yards.  Fellow receiver and fifth year senior Danny Coale grabbed 52 receptions for 787 yards (15.2 yards per catch) and 3 scores.  Redshirt junior Marcus Davis started 7 games on the year and finished with 29 receptions for 499 yards (17.2 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns.
Backups: Junior D.J. Coles was the third leading receiver despite starting only 2 games; he caught 34 passes for 449 yards (13.2 yards per catch) and 3 touchdowns.  Senior Dyrell Roberts, redshirt junior Corey Fuller, and redshirt freshman Willie Byrn combined for 6 receptions, 79 yards, and 0 touchdowns.

THE TAKEAWAY
Boykin and Coale offer a less explosive but more consistent pairing than do Hemingway and Roundtree.  Michigan’s early struggles in the passing game meant that the receivers didn’t get much of a chance to catch the ball, because it was either horribly thrown or Robinson was running the ball.  Hemingway, Roundtree, and even the 5’8″ Jeremy Gallon were thrown plenty of jump balls and came down with their fair share, leading to the former two’s averages of 19+ yards per catch.  All three have shown the ability to run after the catch, but they don’t get many chances to do so.  Meanwhile, Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas has been more consistent this season and has thrown the ball 389 times (compared to Denard Robinson’s 237 attempts).  That’s why Boykin and Coale have caught more passes (109 total) than Michigan’s entire wide receiver group (103).
Advantage: Virginia Tech

2011 Countdown: #21 Drew Dileo

Drew Dileo (image via VarsityBlue.com)

Name: Drew Dileo
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 171 lbs.
High school: Parkview Baptist Christian School in Greenwell Springs, LA
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #26
Last year: I ranked Dileo #78 and said he would redshirt.  He played in 7 games, caught 1 pass for 3 yards, returned 2 punts for 13 yards (6.5 yards/return), and returned 8 kickoffs for 173 yards (21.6 yards/return).

Dileo was a bit of a surprise contributor last season.  With plenty of slot receiver/running back types vying to be returners, it seemed he was destined to redshirt.  Coming out of high school, he looked like a good returner, but there was a skill we didn’t know he had: holding for extra points and field goals.  When backup safety and starting holder Jared Van Slyke broke his clavicle prior to the season, Dileo stepped in to hold for extra points and field goals.  At various times throughout the rest of the year, Dileo played holder, slot receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.

The new coaching staff reportedly likes what Dileo brings to the table as a wide receiver, and although he was held without a catch in the spring game, Dileo will likely see some time in the slot when Michigan goes three- and four-wide this fall.  He doesn’t have great speed, but he’s a kid who can do a little bit of everything and seems reliable; unlike just about every other returner during the Rich Rodriguez era, Dileo didn’t fumble or muff a single kick.  He might not be the second coming of Desmond Howard, but if Dileo can consistently catch punts and kicks, hold onto the ball, and create some occasional first downs on offense, he has a good chance to exceed many Michigan fans’ and recruiting analysts’ expectations as a sophomore.

Prediction: Punt and kickoff returner; 15 receptions, 180 yards, 1 touchdown

Poll Results: Who will be Michigan’s leading receiver in 2011?

Roy Roundtree

Roy Roundtree: 48%